In this work, we describe the design and implementation of a laser scanning confocal microscope with active beam forming
optics. We demonstrate dynamic control over intensity and polarization properties of the beam using the technique of
programmable diffractive optics. This technique is used facilitate active aberration correction in the beam and to generate
radially polarized pupil function in order to get an on-axis axially polarized point spread function. We also develop the
high numerical aperture theory to calculate the focal point spread function for a radially polarized pupil function. We
describe the design and implementation of a simple vector beam formation unit consisting of a polarizing beam splitter
and two right angled prisms in conjunction with a ferro-electric spatial light modulator. We also describe the design and
implementation of a beam scanning system comprising of a novel off-axis scanner mirror that maintains registration of the
conjugate pupil planes in the system.